Samsung said total sales were approximately 52 trillion won, and is said to have sold 68-70 million smartphones alone in the first quarter - up from previous quarters.

Analysts estimate Samsung sold 63.7 million smartphones in the last quarter of 2012, nabbing almost 30% of the phone market.

It will release full results at the end of the month, April 26.

Earlier today, Samsung announced it would be launching the Galaxy S4 in Oz on Tuesday 23 April, the same day as rival HTC One goes on sale, which could send Samsung profits even hgiher if its enjoys teh same popularity as its predecessor, SIII.